Milly Sherman Tells The Real Story Of Chink's

After reading all the comments about Chink's Steaks, I feel it's my turn.

I am Milly, the widow of Samuel "Chink" Sherman. We came to Torresdale Avenue in 1949, a year after we were married and 34 years before Susan Park was born.

My husband and I built our business on great sandwiches and super cleanliness. We worked seven days a week and 15 hours a day for 50 years. We employed many people in all of these years and remain friends with most of them.

I met my husband when I was 15 and never knew him as anything but "Chink," a nickname he acquired at the age of 7 because he had almond-shaped eyes. What right does this 21-year-old woman, or anyone else, have to dispute his name, which is even inscribed on his grave?

We sold food, not racism, and we employed people of every origin. My husband was the last person to care if someone was African-American, Asian, Italian, Irish or Jewish, because he had friends who were all of these.

I say to Susan Park and all those who feel offended by the name, stop at Chink's Steaks and enjoy a super sandwich.

And I want to thank all the people who wrote letters and called supporting us. May I apologize for all the children who at age 7 in 1930 at James Blaine Elementary gave my husband his nickname. They didn't realize they were hurting anyone.

Remember, "Sticks and stones will break my bones, but names will never hurt you."

Mildred (Milly) Sherman

Philadelphia

Re the letter "Editorial Insensitive":

The people representing the Asian American Journalists Association wrote to protest the Daily News for not speaking out against the name Chink's. But the group must be called to account for not speaking out against one of its own.

When the police first questioned Mrs. Cho in the death of her niece, she told them that two black men were attacking her niece, and she received wounds on her hands defending her niece. The police investigated and discredited this statement.

Mrs. Cho did what many others have. When something goes wrong, the first thing they say is "the black guy did it."

Don't get me wrong - black-on-black crime is on the rise, and I would never say that black men are all right or all wrong. But Mrs. Cho had no hesitation about making that statement. She assumed that everyone would believe her.

The Asian American Journalists Association must have been so hungry that they missed this statement, probably because they were unable to find a place to eat that didn't affect their sensibilities. But maybe the association can help mediate or provide a voice of reason as to why Mrs. Cho decided to follow the status quo.

Stephanie Stith, Jenkintown

Warning signs I

Why did it take so long for Mayor Street to read "the handwriting on the wall" by Gov. Rendell? It is easy to understand the disappointment the mayor must be experiencing - they were close for quite some time.

But our mayor is quick on his feet. He will survive!

Mildred C. Chandler, Philadelphia

Warning signs II

I have been following the story of 13-month-old Matthew Williams, allegedly scalded by his mother's boyfriend.

The mother should be held partially responsible for what has happened to her son. How on earth could she leave him with a man she knew was wanted for robbery? How could she leave her son with a man that she only knew for three months?

It is disheartening when young single mothers ignore their children in order to be with a man.